Alfonso VIII

ALFONSO VIII- 1155-1214
KING 1158-1214

Born in Castilla, and Son of Sancho III, he becomes king at the early age of 3. The problems during his minority of age were huge, all provoked for the noble families and the attack of the neighbor reigns of Navarra and León. In 1169, when 14, he gets married with Leonor from England, and starts to reign over Castilla. The competence with the reign of León will be notable during his reign. He signs the treatment “Fresno-Lavandera” with Fernando II from León, with a period of stability and good relationships with the reign. But later the attacks will start again, until the wedding of Fernando II with the daughter of Alfonso VIII in 1197. But the pope Innocence III promotes the confrontation between the two reigns, and declares the wedding void. In relation to Navarra, he will pretend to re conquer all the territories that Navarra invaded years before. So in 1173 and 1176 he promotes different expeditions to settle the former borders. Henry VIII of England will look for a solution of this problem, and promotes an agreement between the two reigns, broken by Castilla. But the hostility of these countries won’t be an obstacle for them to fight together against Muslims in different battles, being the most famous the battle of Navas de Tolosa, and signed treatments, like the one of Cazorla (1179). Both monarchs will conquer Cuenca in 1177. This event will make that Abu Yacub lands in 1195 in Spain and defeat Castilla in Alarcos Castle. The participation of Pedro II of Aragón was essential, because it allowed the Christian troupes to win the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212). This is the most important battle, which will allow the conquest of the whole country. Alfonso VIII, the Noble, will die in 1214, and his son Enrique will be the new king, because the eldest son, Fernando, died in 1211.